What to do in a Plumbing Emergency: Top tips from NLK Plumbing

12Jul2018

What to do in a Plumbing Emergency: Top tips from NLK Plumbing

Plumbing emergencies can appear at any time, and most of us will experience one at least once in our lifetime. Being prepared and knowing what to do in this situation will help you to stay calm and reduce the damage caused to your home.

Make sure you keep a local plumber Melbourne number on your refrigerator or in a visible location for emergency situations. Should an issue arise you can quickly call your local plumber who will be on hand 24/7 for immediate assistance. It is also helpful to know a few things that you can do yourself in a plumbing emergency that will help to minimise the damage caused to your property.

Shut off the water supply

If you experience signs of a leak then a plumbing issue then you will need to shut off the water supply to avoid flooding. It is a good idea to go through this with a qualified plumber the next time they are at your home. They can show you where your water supply shut off points are and how to close them in an emergency. It is important that you act fast and knowing this will help to prevent unnecessary flooding. The main water supply shut off point is the most important to know. There are, however, shut off points for each of your individual appliances e.g. toilet, sink, bath and if you are sure the issue is restricted you can just shut off the closest one to the issue.

Turn off the water heater

Turning off the water to your house can cause a build-up of heat in your water heater. This can cause overheating and bursting, leading to serious damage. To prevent this it is best to turn off your water heater if you have turned off the main water supply to your house. If you have a gas water heater then you need to turn the gas off first. Consult a professional plumber if you are unsure how to do this.

Small Leaks

If you notice small leaks then don’t just leave them dripping. To reduce damage to your home you can place a tray under them to catch the water, while you try to tape it with plumbers tape, which is a good idea to keep somewhere handy. If you do not have tape, you can stuff the leak with rags or towels to try to contain the leak.

Open drains and outside taps.

After shutting off the water supply you will still have some water left in your pipes that you need to get rid of to avoid any further leaks. By opening the taps outside, or turning on the water hose, you will redirect this last bit of water outside and hopefully avoid any further damage inside your home. If instructed by your emergency plumber, and you know how to do it you can also open the drains in your home to allow access water to drain away. Should you suspect a blocked drain do not attempt to unblock it as you may cause further damage and escalate the problem. The same goes for using chemicals to unblock the drain. Wait for a professional plumber to assess the situation. They can use cameras to identify the exact location and cause of the blockage and decide on the best methods for rectifying your problem.

One thing you must do in an emergency plumbing situation is to call a local 24/7 emergency plumber immediately. They will be able to give you immediate help over the phone and advise you how best to handle the situation while you wait for a plumber to come to you. Make sure you keep a local plumber Melbourne’s number on your refrigerator or in a visible location for emergency situations.

Being familiar with the steps you should take in an emergency plumbing situation will help to keep you cool and calm. By acting quickly you can reduce the damage caused by the plumbing emergency. Remember to keep that local plumber’s number handy, and call them whenever you need help with a plumbing emergency. NLK Plumbing is Melbourne’s go to 24/7 Emergency Plumber. A trusted, family owned business for over 30 years. We provide expert plumbing services right across Melbourne. Blocked toilet? Blocked sink that is flooding your house? We receive calls like these all the time, at all hours of the day. That’s why we provide a 24-hour emergency plumbing service Melbourne wide. No matter what the problem is, or what time of night it happens, call NLK Plumbing and we will be there right with you to help as soon as we can.